Pet tracking device

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to a pet tracking device that receives and transmits wireless signals indicative of the location of the pet tracking device. The pet tracking device has a body including a power source and electrical circuits located within a housing and at least one hoop antenna extending outwardly from a surface of the housing. The at least one hoop antenna also functions as a collar attaching location for affixing the pet tracking device to a pet worn collar.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0001]The invention relates generally to a pet tracking device, and more particularly, relates to a pet tracking device having at least one external hoop-shaped radio frequency antenna that also constitutes a collar attachment location. The invention additionally relates to a system for tracking a pet wearing such a pet tracking device.2. Discussion of the Related Art[0002]Tracking the location and movement of animals such as pets, service animals, livestock, and other domesticated animals has been a concern for animal owners for some time. Occasionally, such animals, collectively referred to as “pets” herein, will travel beyond the boundaries of their owner's home or property or otherwise need to be located. When unrestrained pets wander away without the knowledge of their owner, they are prone to becoming temporarily lost, permanently lost, or even possibly injured. Accordingly, attempts have been made to inhibit undesirable move...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a pet tracking device that includes a housing with at least one receiver circuit and at least one transmitter circuit. It also includes one or more hoop antennas that are in electrical communication with the receiver and transmitter circuits. The hoop antennas can be located at either end of the device and can be used for both GPS and Bluetooth signals. The device can be used with a wireless communication device that includes a receiver circuit to receive the outgoing signal from the pet tracking device and a display to display the location of the pet tracking device. The pet tracking device is designed to be attached to a pet collar and can be used to track the location of the pet.

Problems solved by technology

When unrestrained pets wander away without the knowledge of their owner, they are prone to becoming temporarily lost, permanently lost, or even possibly injured.

However, both of these prior systems are limited in their functionality to inhibiting pets from traveling beyond their desired locations and to locate them in the event that they do in fact travel beyond the boundaries of their owner's home or property.

Neither technique provides for real time monitoring of a pet's location by the owner with improved ease of use; and particularly, they do not provide for monitoring a pet's location if the pet is still located within the owner's home or property.

However, these devices cannot be considered trackers, as they are predominantly used during pet training exercises and the collar-mounted receiver is equipped with a remotely activated electrical conductive elements that provides a shock to the pet to deter undesirable activity.

Thus, while such collars provide greater real-time wireless communication with the collar-mounted receiver, they are not well suited for continual pet tracking functions.

Furthermore, such wireless training collars typically include a relatively bulky form factor including a flexible elongated monopole antenna that is both obtrusive and prevents such training collars from being used as a day-to-day pet collar.

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